He spent his entire legal career at the Bowling Green, Kentucky, law firm of Kerrick, Stivers, Coyle, PLC, formerly known as Campbell, Kerrick and Grise, joining as an associate in 1985 and becoming partner in 1990, leaving in 2014 upon receiving his judicial commission.

His legal practice focused on employment and general civil litigation in Federal and State courts.

[5] On July 29, 2014, a hearing before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary was held on his nomination.

[7] On December 3, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a cloture motion on his nomination.

On December 4, 2014, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 69–24 vote.